EU tightens conditions for granting temporary protection to Ukrainian nationals
On 5 August 2026, a new Council of the EU implementing decision entered into force, extending the temporary protection regime for people fleeing the war in Ukraine until 31 March 2028. At the same time, the conditions for granting temporary protection to new applicants have been tightened.
Temporary protection may no longer be granted to Ukrainian nationals aged 18 to 60 who do not provide evidence that they have fulfilled their military obligations or have been fully exempted from them under Ukrainian law. This condition applies to initial and repeat applications for temporary protection, as well as applications for temporary protection for the purpose of family reunification, submitted from 5 August 2026 onwards.
Compliance with military obligations is demonstrated by means of an electronic military registration document (eVOD) in Ukraine’s Reserv+ application. Applicants aged 18 to 22 must provide evidence of registration in Reserv+ and present a printed copy of their eVOD. Applicants aged 23 to 60 must demonstrate that they have been fully exempted from military obligations and that this is recorded in their printed eVOD. When submitting an application, applicants must also demonstrate that their eVOD is up to date by allowing an official of the Czech Ministry of the Interior to view their profile in the Reserv+ application.
An important exemption applies to persons whose temporary protection was already valid on the date the decision entered into force and who maintain it without interruption. The new condition does not apply to these persons, and their temporary protection will continue to be extended in much the same way as in previous years. In the Czech Republic, applicants will again first register online and then visit a Ministry of the Interior office in person to have a new visa sticker affixed. Once both steps have been completed, the ministry will extend temporary protection until 31 March 2028.
The new rules represent a significant change for Ukrainian nationals planning to travel to the Czech Republic and apply for temporary protection after 5 August 2026, as well as for those whose previous temporary protection expired without being extended and who intend to reapply. We therefore recommend that employers and applicants themselves verify compliance with the new conditions before an application is submitted.